Some interesting stats to kick off Skin Cancer Awareness Month
Father Time is obviously still having a field day messing with all of our minds, because as far as my brain is concerned there’s no way it can already be May—or May of 2021 at that. I’ve basically given up on agreeing with what the calendar says and decided that I’m going to start gauging the passing of time by awareness months. So, my friends, let’s talk skin cancer in honor of today, which happens to be Melanoma Monday.
Did you know that skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States (and that one in five Americans will get it over the course of their lifetime)? Yet another reason why Skin Cancer Awareness Month is so important: A vast majority of skin cancers are preventable!
Unfortunately one-third of us lack basic sun-safety knowledge—and 53% of adults have no idea that seeking shade is one way to protect the skin from damaging UV rays. These statistics are just part of the American Academy of Dermatology’s most recent research, which reinforces that we’re not nearly as smart as we think we are. Additional (disappointing) findings include:
47% either incorrectly believe or are unsure that having a base tan will prevent sunburns
35% either incorrectly believe or are unsure that as long as you don’t burn, tanning is safe
31% are unaware that tanning causes skin cancer
But if you really want to be blown away, consider what most of our kids know (or rather, don’t). Generation Z (those born after 1996) are beyond clueless when it comes to sun safety.
42% are unaware that tanning causes skin cancer
41% are unaware that the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays are reflected by snow, water, and sand
33% are unaware that they can get sunburned on a cloudy day
Millennials failed the safe-sun test as well, which makes it even more clear that we as parents need to take it upon ourselves to educate our kids and start healthy sun habits early. (I must have done something right because my son will ask me to put sunscreen on his back if he goes swimming at 5pm.) At the very, very least follow these recommendations—especially as we head into the summer.
Seek shade, especially between 10am and 2pm when UV rays are strongest. Cover up with long sleeves, pants, a hat and sunglasses. (Extra credit for clothing with UPF.) And for not the last time, apply sunscreen to all exposed skin—and remember to reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
Just remember, a sunburn may be short-lived, but the damage caused by too much sun can come back to haunt you decades from now. We wouldn’t want that for ourselves—much less our kids, right?
